Monthly Archives: November 2012

This past year or so has featured many amazing blu-ray releases that will make great gifts for that genre fan in your life. This was not an easy list to compile since there are so many great releases to choose from! I also wanted to limit myself to 13 titles, or else this list would’ve just gone on and on. I am a huge fan of the blu-ray format but have noticed that just because something is on blu-ray and says it is in high-definition, does not mean it is actually going to look good! It all depends on the source used for the transfer. When I watch a blu-ray, I want to feel like I am seeing the film for the first time, even if I have seen it multiple times before. This list is of blu-ray releases that did just that! ENJOY!

As I write this everyone is in full swing Christmas mode which is perfect as what I present to you is the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for individual in your life who also happens to be a Dark Shadows fan. Growing up I never watched the original Dan Curtis television series and have yet to attempt to watch it now. It does though have a very loyal following and I am sure it will be around for a very long time. This past year showed the release of Tim Burton’s interpretation of the classic soap opera starring one of his regulars, Johnny Depp.

Terror from Beyond the Daveswould like to extend a very special “Get Well” card to our dear friend, Rich Koz/Svengoolie. Svengoolie is well loved and respected; not just by us Daves and horror fans, but by a WIDE range of broadcasting professionals, TV historians, and a few notable celebrities as well. This has been especially true now that he’s gone national and caught the attention of such genre legends as Mark Hamill and Robert Englund!

After getting only a few hours of sleep (due to being out so late the night before at the amazing Nightmare on Chicago Street), it was time to embark on yet another Sven-adventure! This final stop on the “Svengoolie 2012 Halloween Tour” took place up in Rosemont, Illinois at The Muvico Theater. It was here that national horror host, Svengoolie, would present the Universal classic, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, in 3D and on the BIG screen!

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Alex and I quickly navigated through crowds of monsters and maniacs as we made our way from Svengoolie’s signing to the The Nightmare on Chicago Street’s main stage. I’d forgotten my map but one needed only a pair of working ears to determine which way to go. Echoing throughout the event was the featured band, “Hairbanger’s Ball” performing 1980’s rock hits. It wasn’t long until I was reunited with my friends amid a cover of Warrant’s “Cherry Pie.”

I was standing outside in the cold waiting for Svengoolie to begin greeting his fans at The Nightmare on Chicago Street when the door to the abandoned theater he’d be appearing at suddenly opened and I was summoned inside. It was Sven’s erstwhile assistant (and Horror Host Secret Service Agent), Jim Roche. We’d chatted earlier that day during the host’s appearance at “Bark-O-Ween” (story HERE) and Jim honored me further by allowing me to go backstage so we could hang out some more.

As mentioned in a previous post (seen HERE), The Nightmare on Chicago Street in Elgin, Illinois really brought out a wide range of fans who expressed their Halloween spirit by dressing up in some highly creative costumes.